Alta Mesa AVA

Alta Mesa sits in the north-central portion of the Lodi AVA, entirely within Sacramento County. It occupies a position roughly halfway between Sacramento (21 miles to the south) and the city of Lodi (13 miles to the north). The AVA takes an irregular five-sided shape, approximately 13.3 miles north-south by 8.3 miles east-west at its widest point. Its defining geographic feature is a distinctive mesa-like or tabletop topography shaped over time by the American and Cosumnes Rivers.

• Total area of 55,400 acres (87 square miles), with approximately 5,300 acres planted to vines
• Elevation ranges from 35 feet (11 m) in the west to 138 feet (42 m) in the east
• Flat, mesa-like topography formed by ancient river action from the American and Cosumnes Rivers
• Positioned as a transitional zone between the cooler western Lodi AVAs and the warmer Sloughhouse AVA to the east

Alta Mesa is the second warmest of Lodi's seven sub-AVAs, with only Sloughhouse recording higher temperatures. The mean annual temperature sits at 60.5°F (15.8°C), with warm summers and low annual rainfall. The Delta breeze, which provides meaningful cooling to western Lodi areas, has a reduced influence here. Growing degree day accumulations run approximately 200 higher than those in the Jahant and Mokelumne River AVAs to the south, making Alta Mesa a distinctly warmer growing environment within the broader Lodi appellation.

• Mean annual temperature: 60.5°F (15.8°C)
• Warm summers with low rainfall characterize the growing season
• Delta breeze influence is present but weaker than in western Lodi sub-AVAs
• Second warmest Lodi sub-AVA; only Sloughhouse is warmer

Approximately 90% of Alta Mesa sits on San Joaquin Series soils, the defining characteristic of the appellation. These soils consist of dense, heavy clay and gravel with a shallow topsoil layer of just two to five feet, underlain by cemented clay and sandstone hardpan. The hardpan layer is so restrictive that deep ripping is required before any new vines can be planted. Once established, vines must work hard to source water and nutrients, resulting in smaller berry size and concentrated flavors. This soil structure is the primary driver behind Alta Mesa's identity as a red wine region.

• San Joaquin Series soils cover approximately 90% of the AVA
• Shallow topsoil of only 2-5 feet over cemented clay and sandstone hardpan
• Dense clay and gravel composition stresses vines and concentrates grape flavors
• Deep ripping of the hardpan layer is required before vineyard establishment

Red varieties dominate Alta Mesa's vineyards, with Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, and Touriga Nacional among the key plantings. The region also supports an unusually diverse array of white and alternative varieties, including Verdelho, Vermentino, Albariño, Torrontés, Grenache Blanc, and Moscato Giallo. Silvaspoons Vineyard is the most notable single estate within the AVA, a 300-acre (121-hectare) property planted with 20 different grape varieties. Because no bonded wineries operate within Alta Mesa, all grapes are sold to outside producers who then vinify them elsewhere.

• Red wines are the primary focus, driven by concentrated berry flavors from the hardpan soils
• Silvaspoons Vineyard: 300 acres, 20 varieties, the most prominent estate in the AVA
• White and alternative varieties include Verdelho, Vermentino, Albariño, Torrontés, and Grenache Blanc
• No bonded wineries within AVA boundaries; all fruit is sold to outside producers

Alta Mesa was established on July 17, 2006 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) as the 157th AVA in the United States. It was one of seven Lodi sub-appellations approved following a petition submitted in 2003 by the Lodi American Viticultural Areas (LAVA) Steering Committee. The name Alta Mesa carries genuine local heritage, having been used historically by the area's ranchers, farmers, and winemakers. The Alta Mesa Farm Bureau Hall, a testament to the region's deep agricultural roots, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Established July 17, 2006 as the nation's 157th AVA
• Created from a 2003 petition by the LAVA Steering Committee alongside six other Lodi sub-AVAs
• The Alta Mesa name was already in use by local ranchers, farmers, and winemakers before official designation
• The Alta Mesa Farm Bureau Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places